This is the moment a real life Ron Burgundy insulted viewers with a foul-mouthed rant when he thought the cameras weren't rolling.

Anchorman Matt Pieper dropped an f-bomb and and laid into people on benefits when he thought News 12 The Bronx were not live on air.

The Emmy-nominated newsreader was "bantering" with reporter Amy Yensi before a report about lollipop ladies helping children on their way to school.

Pieper blurted out: "Dave wants you to also mention that parents do their f****** jobs and walk their little kids to school on their own and not rely on everyone else.

"Kind of like people rely on government assistance for their entire lives.

"And bye Felicia. I actually added the part about government assistance but it’s true. I mean, how old are these kids?"

Yensi replied: “I think I qualify for government assistance.”

The hamfisted anchor responded: "Just check that box, girl!

Several viewers took offence to the f-bomb and bombarded the station's Facebook page with complaints.

They received the apology: "As a result of a technical error during a program break this morning, a personal conversation between an anchor and a reporter was unintentionally placed on air.

"News 12 the Bronx deeply regrets that this incident took place.

"The remarks of these individuals in no way reflect the views of News 12 management or other News 12 personnel."

The incident is reminiscent of the Will Ferrell film, Anchorman in which news anchor Ron Burgundy banters with Veronica Corningstone and signs off with "Go f*** yourself, San Diego" and viewers bombard the cable news station with complaints.